The family of a woman who tragically passed away from rabies after being scratched by a puppy on a holiday in Morocco has raised concerns about the NHS’s preparedness to handle such a serious diagnosis. Yvonne Ford, 59, contracted rabies from the scratch and fell ill in late May, eventually succumbing to the disease on June 11 despite receiving treatment at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.
During a preliminary inquest hearing, Yvonne’s family questioned the adequacy of the NHS’s response to her condition. Ron Ford, Yvonne’s husband, expressed a desire to inquire directly with the doctors about possible oversights in her care.
The family also voiced apprehensions about the information provided to them during Yvonne’s treatment, citing a phone call where they were allegedly informed that she did not have rabies. The Assistant Coroner clarified the inquest’s focus on establishing the factual details of the case.
Yvonne’s daughter Robyn described her mother as a compassionate individual and an avid animal lover. Recalling the incident in Morocco, Robyn explained that the scratch seemed insignificant at the time, with no visible signs of infection. However, Yvonne later experienced severe symptoms, leading to a diagnosis of rabies, which ultimately resulted in her passing.
An upcoming four-day jury inquest into Yvonne’s death is scheduled to commence on March 2 next year.